DETROIT LIONS: Wendling, Coleman step up at safety

Published 12:00 am, Monday, August 20, 2012

That doesn't mean they will be starting in the season opener on Sept. 9, but it's certainly a possibility especially if Louis Delmas hasn't recovered from his recent knee surgery.

Both are veterans, although Wendling has played mostly on special teams and excelled at it. He was a Pro Bowl alternate after the 2010 season.

"He's a true professional that's why I'm very happy to see his success,'' Coleman said of Wendling. "When he gets an opportunity he's taken advantage of it, that's what all of us should do when opportunity arises.''

Wendling, who is filling in for Delmas, has seen time as a safety in recent seasons for the Lions, but only because others were injured.

Now he's stepping up. He had a sack in the win at Baltimore on Friday.

"John's a solid pro, he's always in the right spots, he does a good job of executing scheme, he does a good job of communicating, he's a very good tackler, and probably moreso this year he's made plays on the football that's in the air,'' coach Jim Schwartz said.

Against the Ravens the Lions had called a run blitz in a short-yardage situation. Schwartz said Wendling did a good job on the matchup in the back and got the sack.

"(It) kept them from maybe fourth-down territory, going for a long field goal or something like that,' Schwartz said. "I thought that was a good play by him.''

Wendling has been cut back on special teams work so he can concentrate on his defensive responsibilities. But he's likely to return to special teams.

Coleman and Wendling, who are good friends off the field, have developed good communication on the field.

"John and I are both vocal guys, it's nice to go out there, break the huddle, talk about the possibility of the adjustments, then we can just go play you don't have to think too much,'' Coleman said. "While you're out there playing, we have a great line of communication. We're both the same kind of guys, we work hard, we get to the ball every play and we're just going to do our jobs. It's nice to play with a guy you can depend on.

Coleman played four seasons for the New York Jets with 49 starts, followed by three seasons in Atlanta where he started every game in 2008 and 2009. He suffered a high ankle sprain on a kick return play last season in the fourth game and because he was looking at a 10-week recovery the Lions couldn't afford to keep his roster spot open so it ended his season.

"It was a humbling experience being out for the season last year,'' Coleman said. "And every day when I walk out on that field I pray and thank God for the opportunity to come out and play. And I just want to give my best and do whatever I can for the team.''

It's likely Delmas will miss the preseason after his Aug. 7 surgery.

"He's not to the point that he's even on a progression right now. He's week-to-week, he's not day-to-day,'' Schwartz said on Monday.

If he's ready for the opener it's likely it will be Coleman that he is paired with unless Amari Spievey steps up between now and then.

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